'Changed payment mode after marriage': Ranya Rao, US national Tarun Raju, and jeweller Sahil Jain linked to gold smuggling op, DRI tells court

BENGALURU: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Monday informed the high court that forensic analysis of actor Ranya Rao's phone and laptops established links between her, accused no. 2, Tarun Konduru Raju, a US citizen, and accused no. 3, Sahil Sakariya Jain, Ballari-based jewel merchant.
The trio has been arrested after Ranya was caught at KIA allegedly smuggling gold into the country from Dubai.
Opposing Ranya and Raju's bail petitions, the agency claimed further investigation revealed some new things, and if permitted, the same would be placed before the court in a sealed envelope. DRI said the aspect of hawala money transfer was also found.
Probe revealed that credit cards were used for making payments. Once Ranya got married, the payment mechanism changed — cash was deposited in Raju's account and he would travel using that amount. Sahil Jain would receive gold and liquidate it, the court was told.
Earlier, Ranya's counsel submitted that she is a first-time offender and an escort was provided to her because her father is a DGP — Ramachandra Rao. However, Justice Vishwajith Shetty pointed out that her father's name is shown as Kabbinahalli Sidde Gowda in the cause title, remand application and application filed by her before the trial court. The counsel then submitted that Rao is her stepfather.
To this, Justice Shetty pointed out that an escort is not given for relatives and expressed surprise as to how one was provided to her, given that she is the DGP's stepdaughter.
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